Yesterday was “Labor Day,” an official federal holiday celebrating the working men and women of this country. It is they who built this country, in many cases having nothing more to show for it other than dirt under their fingernails, callouses on their hands and sore backs.

It also marked the official end of summer, of tanned bodies, wearing white and seersucker clothing and going back to school ( depending on where one lives in this country ).

Labor Day is also one of the busiest shopping days of the year in the United States because of “back to school” sales. Since retail businesses make up 24% of the job market, the paradox is that they celebrate “Labor Day” by working!

This wasn’t always so. Even as recently as thirty years ago, most businesses closed on “Labor Day” to give their employees a break. This was in the days before advanced “labor saving” devices were invented, before the United States became a 24/7/365 society. Somehow, people and companies managed to get their chores done and still get off on their federal holidays.

Not anymore.

Perhaps it has to do with the day the government chose to honor American labor: the first Monday of September. The rest of the world ( with the exception of Canada ) celebrates International Workers’ Day on May 1. In the 1890′s, when our government designated “Labor Day” as a federal holiday, they were fearful of American labor being somehow associated with Communism and Socialism if the May 1 date was used. Hence the choice of the first Monday in September, right before school starts. It was based on paranoia and fear of the working masses!

For most people who don’t have to work on that day, “Labor Day” has become a time for picnics, trips, parties and shopping. Little or no thought is given to its original intent or purpose.

And then there is the annual “Labor Day Parade.”

As in most of the United States, Rochester had its own “Labor Day” parade yesterday. The weather was near perfect for it: mixed sun and clouds, a tad humid and with a slight breeze. There were groups of labor unions present, a few marching bands and a few expensive cars. What purpose they had, other to show some politicians’ taste for conspicuous consumption at a time the economy is still in the doldrums for most Americans, one can only imagine!

And, of course, the politicians were there. It IS an election year, and most were doing their annual “unbending” act in hopes of securing votes to get re-elected ( or get elected to higher office ), at which point we never see them again until the next election.

Some show up at the “Labor Day” parade to show THEIR support for labor, although what most really want is labor to support them ( with huge campaign contributions from the various labor unions ).

Fortunately, with the exception of a press conference prior to the start of the parade, the spectators lining the streets weren’t subjected to the marching politicians’ usual speeches about the declining “middle class” ( their target group for this election ). Most politicians seem to have forgotten that the majority of Americans are “working class.” Precious few politicians ever address their concerns. Perhaps it’s not “fashionable!”

With two obvious exceptions: Ted O’Brien and Harry Bronson!

The Honorable Ted O’Brien, minority leader in the Monroe County Legislature, has been a tireless promoter of the interests of the working class, which is the backbone of America! This means JOBS! REAL jobs. Jobs that our business leaders seem Hell-bent on exporting abroad, leaving American labor out of work. It is for this reason that Mr. O’Brien is seeking election to the state senate office for the 55th district, being vacated by Senator Alesi.

The Honorable Harry Bronson, state assemblyman for the 138th district ( for which he is seeking re-election ), was unable to be at the parade yesterday; he was a delegate to the Democratic Convention. But Mr. Bronson has long been concerned about the plight of the working class in our disintegrating economy, and “Team Bronson” was out there yesterday, reminding workers that they are NOT forgotten! That they need an advocate for the working class in Albany!

A Labor Day Parade in New York City, 1882: Have times really changed much?

So, another “Labor Day” is over, and the political campaigns are moving into high gear. Politicians will be making all kinds of promises during the next two months, most claiming that they have a “plan” for improving the lives of their constituents. These “plans” will be described in the vaguest of terms, “glittering generalities” that sound so good, but really mean nothing.

And the working class should question these candidates very closely to see if their goals meet our needs.

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Rich Gardner has been writing about the history, culture and waterways of Upstate New York for years. His articles have appeared in U.S. and Canadian publications, and one book, Learning to Walk. He is an alumnus of Brighton High School and SUNY Geneseo. He operates Upstate Resume & Writing Service in Brighton and recently moved to Corn Hill, where he is already involved in community projects. "I enjoy the 'Aha!' moments of learning new things, conceptual and literal. City living is a great teacher."

Ken Warner grew up in Brockport and first experienced Rochester as a messenger boy for a law firm in Midtown Tower. He recently moved downtown into a loft on the 13th floor of the Temple Building with a view of the Liberty Poll and works in the Powers Building overlooking Rochester’s four corners as Executive Director for UNICON, an organization devoted to bringing economic development to the community. He hopes to use his Rochester Blog to share his observations from these unique views of downtown.